USA Bucket List For Film Fans: My Top 10 Tips

Planning a trip to the United States and looking for sightseeing tips inspired by your favourite films? Based on my own travel experiences on three cross-country trips to the USA in 2011, 2015 and 2017, here is my ultimate USA Bucket List for film fans…

1. Be in awe at the Grand Canyon

Seeing the Grand Canyon on screen or on pictures doesn't do it justice. It's much more impressive in real life! This is the place to reload your batteries by soaking up the incredible nature you'll find #OnlyInTheUSA. You can also learn a lot about the indigenous people that have lived here in harmony with nature for thousands of years.

Literally all West Coast group tours include a stopover in both "Sin City" Las Vegas (see point 3) and the Grand Canyon as it's an easy drive between the two of them. Alternatively, you can take one of the many day trips offered from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

On the other side of the USA, check out the Niagara Falls. It's an equally impressive natural phenomenon found #OnlyInTheUSA (and Canada for that matter as the Niagara Falls are located in both countries).

2. Pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty in New York

A must-see on every New York City visit is America's famous Statue of Liberty.

Of course, as one of America's most famous symbols (especially for the millions of immigrants that came to the United States for a better life), Lady Liberty can be seen in dozens of films. The Statue of Liberty was, for example, the first "American thing" that Kate Winslet aka "Rose Dawson" saw after she survived the sinking, but had lost her beloved Jack in Titanic(1997).

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is easier and cheaper than you might think. A ticket for the The Staten Island ferry, which also takes you to the former immigration port Ellis Island and its fantastic museum, costs only 18.50 US Dollars return for adults.

Tickets can be conveniently booked on the Statue Cruises Website. Just remember to book your ticket in advance and to arrive early because it gets very crowded here every day (especially if the weather is nice). Even if you reserve your ticket online, you probably have to queue for picking it up.

3. Party the night away in Las Vegas

From The Hangover(2009) to What Happens in Vegas(2008) and Last Vegas(2013) – there have been dozens of films that have been at least partly shot in "Sin City" Las Vegas. And most of them were, of course, about partying and gambling.

It is definitely an experience to see this "giant playground for adults" for yourself. I have been here on two guided group tours with Contiki and Intrepid. I found this the best way to explore this city as Las Vegas really is a place you would rather want to explore with a group than on your own.

Just a word of warning: The drinks that the waiters serve in Las Vegas are really strong as they usually mix in more alcohol than soft drinks. So unless you don't want the real-life experience from The Hangover(2009), take it easy on the drinks.

4. Take a photo with THOSEFAMOUSLETTERS…

… and walk in the footsteps of the stars on the HOLLYWOOD Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

6. Walk or bike over the famous Bridges

The Golden Gate Bridge is probably the most famous bridge of the United States, although the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City comes pretty close. Therefore, it's not surprising that both have featured as beautiful backgrounds in several films. The Golden Gate Bridge can, for instance, be seen in The Internship (2011). One of my favourite American comedy movies of all times tells the story of two unemployed salesmen in their 40s who join the young interns in the Silicon Valley techie scene just outside of San Fransisco in the hopes of securing permanent jobs at Google.

Me at the Golden Gate Bridge

To see the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, I thought it was best to rent a bike. This way, you can independently visit many highlights of the city.

7. Travel back in time at the old plantations in the South

Although hard to watch at times, films like 12 Years a Slave teach you a lot about the darker sides of American history. The Oscar-winning period drama was shot in and around New Orleans in the deep South of the USA (namely on the Felicity, Bocage, Destrehan, and Magnolia plantations), which was the stronghold of slave trading back in the day.

Up until today, you will find many of the old plantations here. Most of these can be visited on day trips from New Orleans. For the most flexibility, it's best if you have a rental car as it's obviously a very rural area and the plantations are very spread out. But you can also go there on a guided bus tour.

8. Indulge in some American comfort food!

When I was travelling in the past, I never thought about joining a food tour to explore a new city. I always assumed it was too expensive and that I couldn't eat most of the food anyway because I'm a vegetarian. But on my recent trip to the United States and Canada, I discovered that there are indeed some great food tours that cater both for special dietary needs (e.g. vegetarians like me) and allow money-conscious travellers to stay on budget.

9. Take a Road Trip along the Route 66

Want to experience one of those fun American road trip movies such as Little Miss Sunshine (2006), On the Road (2012) or We're the Millers(2013)? Then, the Route 66 is the best place to go (or to drive in this case). Starting in Chicago and ending on the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, the route will take you past some of the most famous and incredible American landscapes, such as this road in Utah featured in the final scene of Forrest Gump (1994).

The "Forrest Gump road" in Utah

If you don't have a (rental) car, just join one of the West Coast group tours, such as the Grand Southern by Contiki to pass by the "Forrest Gump road".

10. Relax (or party) at the Beaches

If you want to party like Selena Gomez and her "gals" in Spring Breakers (2012), or just chill out by swimming in the always warm sea, you should head to the "Sunshine State" Florida. The sea in Miami is beautiful all year round. My photo was taken in mid-November!

Chilling out in Miami

And then there is Hawaii – the paradise where artist Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) escapes to in order to get away from her abusive husband Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz) in Big Eyes (2014).

I am an ex London expat now living back in Germany. My second home is the cinema. If you don't find me there I am probably travelling the world in order to trace my favourite film settings while trying to stay on a budget. On filmfantravel.com, I combine these two passions to share my best tips about film-inspired budget travel. Join the journey on Twitter! @filmfantravel